In-depth Analysis
All eyes are on North Wales as Wrexham aims to pull off a shock against Chelsea – the club that has won the FA Cup 8 times – in a bid to reach the quarter-finals of the world’s oldest football competition for the first time in nearly three decades. The last time Wrexham reached the quarter-finals was in the 1996/97 season, when they were eliminated by Chesterfield.
Parkinson’s squad has a major advantage, having not played away since the third round. They eliminated Premier League side Nottingham Forest on penalties after a 3-3 draw and most recently secured a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town. At the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham are brimming with confidence, boasting three consecutive home wins, scoring 8 goals and conceding only 4.
Although they experienced a few setbacks early in 2026, Wrexham’s overall form remains impressive. From 14th place in the Championship before Christmas, Parkinson’s men have won 9 of their last 13 domestic matches, climbing to 6th on the table.
With a full week of preparation, Wrexham hope to end Chelsea’s 24-match winning streak against lower-league teams in the FA Cup – a record only surpassed by Arsenal’s 28-game run (1998–2013) and Manchester United’s 30-game streak (1985–2009). The last time “The Blues” lost to a lower-league side was a 2-4 shock defeat to Bradford City at Stamford Bridge in 2015, when Parkinson was in charge of Bradford, orchestrating a remarkable comeback despite Chelsea taking a 2-goal lead.
Entering 2026, Chelsea, now under Liam Rosenior, have continued their dominant form against lower-tier sides, thrashing Charlton Athletic 5-1 and Hull City 4-0 in rounds 3 and 4. Although disappointing domestic results against Leeds, Burnley, and Arsenal may have affected morale, Chelsea bounced back with a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa midweek, thanks to an outstanding performance by Joao Pedro.
Previously, their December trip to Wales also yielded a 3-1 win over Cardiff City in the League Cup (under former coach Enzo Maresca). Now, Chelsea aim to avoid a slip-up at the Racecourse Ground, where Wrexham fans are sure to create an electric atmosphere.